
INSIGHTS: Tips, Tricks and More!
WALK THE WALK
If you are going to start or grow a planned giving program with intention, the first thing I highly suggest you do is join the legacy society yourself. After all, how can you expect others to join if you are not a member? Once you are a member, it changes the...
STEWARD AND CULTIVATE
Your donor’s first planned gift intention does not have to be the last. You would never think about asking a donor to make a major gift and never asking them to make another. But how many times do fundraisers do that with planned giving donors? They thank their donor...
LOOK FOR CLUES AND TRIGGERS
The best time for an individual to consider gift planning to create a future gift often comes as a result or in contemplation of a significant event or life transition. Life-triggering events include: International travel Inheritance Job/career change Sale or transfer...
A LESSON FROM DAVE
For many of our donors, the start of a planned giving conversation can be as simple as thanking the donors for their loyal support, asking them why they are so loyal, and then asking them how they would feel about a conversation involving other ways to support your...
ABOVE AND BELOW THE LINE
In their book The Right Side of the Table, Scott and Todd Fithian suggest fundraisers draw a metaphorical line to differentiate between the types of conversations with donors and the overall approach to planned giving. They encourage fundraisers to see philanthropy...
LEAVE YOUR TOOLBOX IN THE TRUCK UNTIL YOU KNOW WHAT “NEEDS A FIXIN”
Imagine you are looking to remodel your kitchen and you call several contractors to come out and give you an estimate. How would you feel if one of those contractors started unloading their truck in your driveway before you ever had a conversation? You open your...